What's Your Title?

 

 

Scripture

 Ephesians 4:7-16

⁷ But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore it is said,

“When he ascended on high, he made captivity itself a captive;
    he gave gifts to his people.”

⁹ (When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) ¹¹ He himself granted that some are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. ¹⁴ We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming; ¹⁵ but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.  (NRSVUE)

Devotion

Lately, I've taken part in a lot of discussions about people's preferred titles.  Some Presbyterian clergy get upset when they are not referred to by their full titles of  Minister of Word and Sacrament during meetings.  That is, after all, what they have been ordained to do: proclaim the Word and administer the sacraments.  I feel most comfortable with being called Pastor, because it highlights my role as one who comes alongside God's people to guide, care for, and empower the flock.   During meetings, though, I prefer to referred to as a Teaching Elder (which is my denomination's way of distinguishing my role as the congregation's a teacher of the Word from the role of the Ruling Elders who govern daily church life).  A couple of good friends feel like the title of Prophet or Apostle best fits the work Christ has called them to do...even though their denominations refer to them by other titles. Then, there are my colleagues who introduce themselves as Reverend in order to claim their pastoral authority in society that might otherwise dismiss them for various reasons.

These ongoing conversations about people's preferred titles point to the great variety of ways Christ calls people to go forth and share the Gospel. Throughout scripture, we see how Christ's works through the Holy Spirit to call people to different forms of ministry in God's name.  Some are called to preach. Some to teach.  Some to speak boldly.  Some to listen quietly.  Some to share the Good News with people who have never encountered it.  Some to bring the lost back into the fold.  Some to carry forward the traditions and/or lessons learned from the past.  Some to offer a bole vision of the future Others to care for the physical, mental, and/or spiritual well-being of the people around them.  Some to care for the systemic needs of society and/or the world.  Some to connect people with one another.  Some to lead and/or carry on work that require more of a solo effort. 

The Reformed Tradition proclaims that since we are all ministers together. On a practical level, no calling and any of the professions and titles that arise out of it (be it homemakers, physician, politician, musician or ordained clergy) is any more or less important than another.  It is simply a different aspect of spreading the Good News of God's love.  When each of us support one another in accepting and fulfilling the roles we have been given to play, , then we can do great things in Christ's names.

So what title(s) is the Holy Spirit encouraging you to claim as your own?  And what kind of work does having that title encourage/enable you to do on Christ's behalf?  No matter what your title may be, may you never doubt that you have an important role to play in spreading the Gospel.  And may those with roles and titles of their own support you in the work Christ has given you to do, just as you hopefully support them in their God-given work. 

 

 

Prayer

 Thank you, Christ, for the ways your Spirit works empowers each of us to use our gifts and talents for the work of your holy catholic Church.  May I accept the role you have given me.  May I faithfully live into that role and the titles that come with it.  And my I empower others to do the same so that through our faithful ministry together, all the world may come to know God's glory.  Amen.